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The end of the school year can bring teens both euphoric freedom and a dreadful sense of boredom. Fortunately, there are choices beyond another year of Camp Mosquito Bite or a summer wasted in videogame marathons. The end of the school year is a perfect time for teenagers to expand their experiences, discover future career possibilities, and take a step toward realizing their college ambitions.

Michigan State University offers summer programs for teens interested in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM), including camps focused on robotics and those that introduce students to a wide range of engineering careers. More than 25 College of Engineering faculty members are engaged in teaching pre-college students in programs ranging from robotics to a comprehensive introduction to engineering. Among these faculty mentors are top researchers, university distinguished professors, NSF CAREER award winners, and faculty members from every discipline within the college.

Summer programs currently open for enrollment include: the High School Engineering Institute (Session 2: June 23-27 and Session 3: July 14-18), Introduction to Robotics Engineering (July 21-25), and Spartaneering LEGO Robotics (June 17-21).

The High School Engineering Institute is a residential program offering rising high school sophomores, juniors and seniors an in-depth introduction to engineering that includes a taste of college life on the MSU campus, participation in demonstrations, hands-on experiments, team-based problem solving, short lectures, and tours of cutting-edge engineering research facilities. Participants spend time with members of the faculty, learn about each of the majors offered in the College of Engineering, and have opportunities to meet representatives of the Honors College, MSU Admissions, Study Abroad, and the Center for Spartan Engineering (to learn about co-op/internship and undergraduate research opportunities). Sessions with availability include Session 2: June 23-27 and Session 3: July 14-18. More information is available at http://tinyurl.com/Spartan-HSEI

Introduction to Robotics Engineering is a residential program held on campus July 21-25, and open to students entering grades 10-12. Students learn about fields of engineering involved in robotics, biomimetic robotic fish, nano-robotics, mechatronics, and manufacturing automation. Participants solve problems through building and programming robots using NXT and VEX Robotics Invention Systems. More information is available at http://tinyurl.com/Spartan-Robotics-Camp

Lego Robotics is a robotics program for children entering grades 4-8 that will be held on campus June 17-21. This commuter camp allows students to learn about fields of engineering while engaging in problem identification, team building, communication, problem solving, programming and competition using the NXT Robotics Invention System. More information is available at http://tinyurl.com/Spartan-LEGO-Robotics